Being Myself On Purpose: Polaroid Zip Collaboration and Giveaway

"Real style is never right or wrong. It's a matter of being yourself on purpose." 

G. Bruce Boyer

My dress is Dolce Vita from Thredup and my leggings are the Penny Leggings found here and blogged about here. My necklace is from Aries Artistic Jewelry which you can find here and I blogged about here and here. 

I was really excited to be approached by Polaroid for this amazing collaboration. I was gifted a Polaroid Zip Instant Photo Printer, a journal, and a whole bunch of accessories which I used to put together a style journal. Throughout the last two weeks, I easily printed my pictures right from my iPhone, attached them to the journal and added quotes and little bits of information and inspiration to each page.  As I reflected to attempt to summarize or explain my fashion choices the one thing I knew for sure was that it was and is all very personal and never done casually. 

This dress is also from Thredup and these are the Brickway tights found here and blogged about here.  This is another necklace from Aries Artistic Jewelry and can be found here. 

I've always believed that style is an infomed expression of your inner self. And while self is very important, being informed is equally important. To choose something "just because you like it" is not enough. You need to understand the choices you make- how they fit into and enhance your life. To be informed about the complexities of what gives you pleasure opens you up to new possibilities. It's only when you ask yourself "Why do I like that?" that you can consistently make the right choices. Once you gain a sense of why you like what you do, your personal style can develop.

My jumpsuit is from Kookon.  Kookon is unique in the fact that their merchandise is sold directly to women online through a network of Independent Stylists such an myself. This jumpsuit can be found here and you may use code : JENQ20 for a one time 20% off discount. 

My backpack is from Hieleven and can be found here.  

My necklace is from the Pearls of Wisdom collection at Aries Artistic Jewelry.  

I feel that every day offers a whole series of choices that help define us as individuals. Some questions are as basic as whether to keep your hair naturally curly or flatten it with an iron, or to apply red or blue polish to your nails. Ideally the decisions you make should be based upon who you are, how you perceive yourself and how you want others to see you. It's a combination of these moment by moment, day to day choices that creates a total image. 

My dress can be found here and this gorgeous clutch and tassel can be found here. Follow Alison Arnette of The Providence Story here and find out more about her amazing line of handmade leather goods and accessories. 

To make the wisest decisions, you need to study what's out there. Keep abreast of trends shown in fashion magazines, blogs, and the shows and only adopt the ones that "fit" your personality and body. When you are aware of all the possible options ( and that means opening yourself to possibilities you might not consider initially) , then you are making informed selections. That definitely includes looking to the past for inspiration. Perhaps a book on Chanel, a 1930's movie, or an Impressionist painting.  Once you are inspired you can figure out how to apply those ideas and resources to your life and bring them into the present.

My dress can be found here.  

Like I said earlier, finding my personal style is never done casually. I've been working at it my whole life. And since never ending change is a fact of life, my style has undergone many adaptions to stay strong and current. I'm always aware of and reflecting on changes in my life - whether occupational, emotional or physical and I adjust my style accordingly to how the world around me evolves. Basically, as life moves on, I move on. I never limit my own vision of myself and I'm never afraid to try a new look. 

When someone asks me why I've chosen a certain accessory, the answer is immediate. It just connects with something within me. The process of knowing what's right has become second nature to me because of all the thought and reflection I've put into my choices through the years.  

This gorgeous dress is from Morning Lavender and can be purchased here. 

And that's the end result of style: It gives you pleasure, it helps you express yourself, and makes you feel good about who you are. It gives you a greater sense of self and for me, the fulfillment that comes with expressing myself in a creative way.  

My jacket and leggings are both available now at Mad Style and use code : teacherjen for 20% off here. 

This tee shirt as well as the one above and one below are all from Trendy Teachersz Supply Boutique and can be purchased here Use code : fashionista to save 20% off throughout the month of June! 

Follow @trendyteacherzsupplyboutique here.  

It really makes me happy to see someone who is really well dressed. Without even knowing me they've brought a touch of beauty into my life for that moment. Style is about giving to others as much as it's about giving to yourself. 

My tee shirt is Loft from Thredup , and my skirt was from The Rack a few years back. The leggings are from @shoplegappeal. 

My bag is the Mia from Oliver Bilou and can be found here. 

When you have style, you make the world a prettier place. By reaching inward, exploring and recognizing what makes you happy, you have an opportunity to share some of that view of life and the things you deem beautiful.  

My dress is Express from Thredup and the  heels are Guess from Burlington Coat Factory many, many years ago.  

You may have noticed that lots of my recent outfit pictures on Instagram include this amazing rose water and saffron infused beverage called H2rose. That's because I recently discovered it and love it so much! Find out all about it here!

Wearing things you consider lovely - things that are tactile, colorful, and pleasing to the eye- heightens your own sense of connection with the world. You get to share its physical resources in an intimate way, and bring them down to the most personal level. 

This skirt and top can be found here and little red bag here. My luggage is Raden. This complete outfit was blogged about in detail here. 

Style extends far beyond the clothes we wear. It's the way we choose to furnish our home, entertain, and display the little things we collect.  

Ultimately, style is a quality that grows out of a lifetime of experiences, options, and resuming. Look inward and you will always find your unique style. Never be afraid to share it. I share my style every day either on my blog, my social media pages or just with the people in my life in real life. This is a small glimpse of just a couple of weeks. It's hard to say what my style and outfits will be like a year from now. Keeping this journal was super fun and extremely easy with my Polaroid Zip Instant Photo Printer.

What could you use a printer and journal like this to create? I found an awesome YouTube Video showing how one girl uses hers to create really amazing memory books and it got me to thinking of all the possibilities of things I can create next. Let me know what you would create because one person will win all of this! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me why you would like to win and what you will create. I can't wait to hear your ideas! 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I truly appreciate your time and attention and hope you found this post worthwhile!

All feedback is truly appreciated and I will respond to all comments in a timely manner.  

Yours truly, 

Jennifer

xoxo